Annual Export for 1887 of the Goimdtin^ ChemUt. 301 
in the pare linseed-cake, and even where 30 per cent, of the 
adulterant is added, there is not more than frequently occurs 
with pure cakes. Nothing in short is to be gathered from the 
figures alone so far aa this particular adulterant is concerned. 
The result of my inquiry and a careful examination of all 
the points involved led me to suggest that the following should 
be the requirements which a linseed-cake should satisfy in orde r 
to be fairly termed a pure one : — 
1. That it bs made from sound seed of not less than 95 per cent, purity, 
subsequently well screened. 
2. That it contain no ingredients of a poisonous or deleterious nature. 
3. That it be entirely free from sophistication of any kind. 
4. That it contain not more than 2 per cent, of sand. 
5. That it be sold in good, mercliantable condition. 
The Merchandise Marks Act, which was brought forward 
shortly after my visit, had immediately the effect of causing 
the word " pure " to disappear almost entirely from the brands 
and invoices of seed-crushing firms, though some few firms of 
high standing, confident in the quality of their cakes, have had 
the courage to keep to it. There never was a time when farmers 
should more strongly insist upon having only pure cakes sup- 
plied to them, and make a point of getting a guarantee for the 
cakes being so. It is a frequent practice for a manufacturer 
or dealer to put forward an analyois giving merely the percentage 
figures of the different constituents. But it must be remembered 
that it cannot be a matter of indifference whether what is 
stated in an analysis as '-oil" is linseed, oil or some other of 
inferior value ; and similarly whether the nitrogen and other 
elements arise from linseed or from some less valuable material. 
I would urge this necessity of insisting upon pure cake being 
used, inasmuch as, so soon as admixture of any kind is admitted, 
there is no limit to its quantity or its natm'e ; for this reason 
I have been unable thoroughly to accept what is known as the 
" 95 per cent, pure " standard, for it leaves out of account the 
important point as to the nature of the remaining 5 per cent. 
Nor has chemical analysis yet arrived at that point at which it 
is possible to say, after the seed has been crushed, whether 
•5 per cent, or not of foreign seeds previously existed in it ; only 
an approximate result at best can be obtained. 
The information given in the Quarterly Reports of the 
Chemical Committee makes it unnecessary for me to refer in 
detail to other adulterants in frequent use ; I may briefly say 
that in addition to rape, cockle-seed, mill-sweepings, niger- 
seed, locust-bean, and hemp have been the principal ones. 
American linseed-cakes have generally been pure, though, 
as usual, hard-pressed. In English-made cakes the percentage 
